John
03-16-2009, 01:37 PM
By Shaun Best-Rajah.com Reporter
Hosted by: Mean Gene Okerlund
RIP Andrew “Test” Martin (33). You are in my thoughts as I write this. Thank you for the memories.
On this week’s agenda is WrestleManias X & XI. Today’s show begins with a “10 years in the making” look at WrestleMania X and the groundbreaking Ladder Match between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon. Razor snatches the Intercontinental Title when Michaels gets caught in the ropes.
WrestleMania X took place on March 20th 1994 at the mecca of sports entertainment and site of WrestleMania I – Madison Square Garden, in New York City. Meanwhile, WrestleMania XI was held on April 2nd 1995 at the Hartford Civic Center, in Hartford, Connecticut.
Announcers for both shows are Vince McMahon and Jerry “The King” Lawler. Let’s begin.
Bret "Hitman" Hart vs “The Rocket” Owen Hart
This was the first ever brother vs brother match to start off a WrestleMania. Small portions of the match are shown. Owen was looking to get out of Bret's shadow. Apparently, the Hart parents watched this from home. An Owen firemans carry takedown is countered with a headscissors from Bret. Both exchange waistlocks, with Bret running to the ropes to send Owen out of the ring. Owen rushes in to slap Bret then cower away. The two go back-and-forth with hammerlocks, before briefly working each other's arm. Owen reverses an Irish whip, Bret floats over, rolling Owen up for two. Bret goes back to work on the arm. Owen lands a shoulder tackle. Bret leapfrogs, monkey flips then clotheslines his brother over the top rope. Back from commercials, Owen is in control, repeatedly ramming Bret's leg into the ringpost. Owen uses a dragonscrew legwhip, single leglock and figure four to weaken Bret's leg. Bret rolls around to reverse the figure four, resulting in both brothers limping around. Owen kicks at Bret's leg in the corner. Bret comes back with an enziguiri. Owen gets sent crashing front first into the corner. Bret gets nearfalls from a legdrop, running bulldog, piledriver and superplex. Bret ducks an Owen swing and locks in a sleeper. Owen gets to the ropes, quickly low blowing Bret behind Earl Hebner’s back. Owen applies the Sharpshooter. Bret taps the mat for momentum. Nowadays that would class as a tapout. Bret reverses the hold, but Owen immediately hooks the ropes. Owen reverses an Irish whip and charges into a boot. Bret goes for a victory roll, but Owen falls on top, cradling his brother for the 1-2-3. At first Owen's shocked at his win, but he soon rubs it in to a crestfallen Bret, telling him in no uncertain terms he’s number one. Here is Your Winner: "THE ROCKET" OWEN HART. This was a great match to elevate Owen onto the mainstage. After this, Owen’s career skyrocketed and the two engaged in a year long feud, making for great TV during 1994. Hopefully Matt vs Jeff Hardy can be just as good at this year’s ‘Mania.
In a WrestleMania X Road Trip moment, Bret avenges his prior loss by defeating Yokozuna to begin his second reign as World Champion. Yokozuna falls from his perch attempting a banzai drop and Bret pins him.
Women's Title
Alundra Blayze vs Leilani Kai
Kai is the only competitor to have wrestled at WrestleManias I & X. She was also looking to regain the title in the same place she lost it nine years earlier. Joined in progress. Kai delivers a tree slam and bodyslam. Blayze comes back with a hurricanrana. Kai lands several hair throws before tossing Blayze over the top rope. Kai puts Blayze back in, hair bieling the Champion across the ring. A double underhook suplex doesn't put Blayze away. Blayze ducks a clothesline and hits one of her own. Blayze delivers a spin kick off the ropes, followed by a suplex and two hairmares. Blayze counters a clothesline with a bridged german suplex to pick up the 1-2-3. Crisp action from two talented Women. It’s a shame that there wasn’t a great talent pool to work with in the Women’s Division from 1994-1995, as many of the matches during this era were better than a lot of the Divas matches nowadays. The pioneer of this period, Blayze (Madusa Micelli) deserves to be brought back for the Women’s Battle Royal this year. Here is Your Winner: ALUNDRA BLAYZE. The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, Classy Freddy Blassie, Captain Lou Albano and Nikolai Volkoff are seen cheering Blayze on from the crowd.
It’s now time for the WrestleMania XI portion of the show. Diesel vs Shawn Michaels receive the highlighted treatment. Michaels is accompanied by Sid and Jenny McCarthy, while Diesel enters with Pamela Anderson. While both girls are still hot now, back in 1995 they were super hot. Baywatch still ruled back then LOL. Regarding the match, Diesel jackknifes his former partner to defeat, to continue his horrendous year-long run as Champion.
Intercontinental Title
Double J Jeff Jarrett w/The Roadie vs Razor Ramon w/The 1-2-3 Kid
TNA invades once again. Jarrett won the title off Razor a few months prior at the Royal Rumble. Razor has the Kid (decked out in a kimono outfit - looking like he's come straight from the dojo) to counter Roadie in Jarrett's corner. Razor starts off sharply, catching and decking Jarrett at every turn with punches. Razor clotheslines Jarrett to the outside. Jarrett stalls long enough to bait Razor in close enough for a leg trip. Razor reverses an Irish whip, Jarrett fakes a dive from the second rope, but Razor thwarts a sunset flip by dropping on top of Jarrett for a nearfall. Jarrett calls for Roadie interference, but Razor sends Jarrett into his protégé, before schoolboying the Champion for another nearfall. Roadie saves Jarrett from the Razor’s Edge, pulling him through the ropes to safety. Following commercials, Razor reverses Jarrett’s figure four, with Kid lending Razor some extra momentum. Referee Timmy White reprimands the Kid. Razor back suplexes Jarrett from the second rope. Roadie saves Jarrett from a second Razor’s Edge, by chopblocking the bad guy for the cheap DQ. Kid runs in, throwing spin kicks galore, until Jarrett cuts him off. Jarrett gives Kid a flapjack, then locks on the figure four. Razor gets involved and all four brawl on the mat, as referees and agents try to separate them. Jarrett and Roadie manage to slip out and escape, as Razor and Kid look to gain the upper hand. Basically a Razor showcase, as most of Jarrett’s offense was edited out. Guess Vinny Mac doesn’t want to see Jarrett make an impact with new viewers. Here is Your Winner via DQ: RAZOR RAMON.
Todd Pettengill narrates the backstory for our Main Event.
January 22nd 1995: At the Royal Rumble, Bam Bam Bigelow shoves NFL player Lawrence Taylor (in the crowd as Diesel's guest) after alleging that Taylor was laughing at him for losing a tag match. Bam Bam is suspended from the ring for thirty days.
January 30th 1995: Instead of apologising, Bam Bam issues a one-on-one challenge, "anytime," "anyplace."
February 27th 1995: LT turns down the “childish” challenge as it’s "not in his nature." Bam Bam dares LT to show up to the WrestleMania Press Conference. LT agrees to show.
February 28th 1995: At the Harley Davidson Café in New York City, LT accepts the challenge, goes nose-to-nose with Bam Bam, shakes his hand, plants a kiss on Bam Bam’s cheek and walks off.
Bam Bam Bigelow vs Lawrence Taylor
Bam Bam has the Million Dollar Corporation in his corner, while LT has members of the New York Giants in his corner (including Steve “Mongo” McMichael). Pat Patterson is the referee. After a staredown, Bam Bam shoves LT, who simply smiles back at him. Patterson wants a handshake. LT delivers a hard slap to Bam Bam and the bell goes to get this one officially underway. LT gets the early advantage with a forearm, kneelift, throw and clothesline over the top rope. Back inside, Bam Bam misses a charge and LT hits a running bulldog for two. LT lands forearms and a hiptoss. Bam Bam regroups outside. LT jumps out to confront him and the Corporation. The NFLers provide backup. Bam Bam sneaks back in first and works LT over with punches, kicks, a boot choke and slam. LT avoids a falling headbutt and floors Bam Bam with a running forearm. Bam Bam drops LT in the corner a couple of times, then chokes him in the ropes. LT survives a Boston Crab and modified STF. Following a commercial, Bam Bam connects with an enziguiri, several falling headbutts and his patented top rope headbutt. LT kicks out at two, leaving Bam Bam distracted and in disbelief. LT recovers to nail forearms and battering rams in the corner. LT hits two running forearms then a flying forearm from the second rope. Bam Bam is out of it, as LT covers for the 1-2-3. Bam Bam worked hard here to get a good match out of LT. Bammer truly was one of the best working big men of all time. Here is Your Winner: LAWRENCE TAYLOR. The NFLers celebrate and hoist LT on their shoulders after rolling Bam Bam out of the ring. Bam Bam was kicked out of the Corporation after this, turning babyface for a brief six month run.
Okerlund signs off, promising more WrestleMania moments next week. A good slew of matches this week. All of the major angles were covered. I look forward to reliving the Iron Man match from WrestleMania XII when we next meet. Have a good week. Shaun.
Hosted by: Mean Gene Okerlund
RIP Andrew “Test” Martin (33). You are in my thoughts as I write this. Thank you for the memories.
On this week’s agenda is WrestleManias X & XI. Today’s show begins with a “10 years in the making” look at WrestleMania X and the groundbreaking Ladder Match between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon. Razor snatches the Intercontinental Title when Michaels gets caught in the ropes.
WrestleMania X took place on March 20th 1994 at the mecca of sports entertainment and site of WrestleMania I – Madison Square Garden, in New York City. Meanwhile, WrestleMania XI was held on April 2nd 1995 at the Hartford Civic Center, in Hartford, Connecticut.
Announcers for both shows are Vince McMahon and Jerry “The King” Lawler. Let’s begin.
Bret "Hitman" Hart vs “The Rocket” Owen Hart
This was the first ever brother vs brother match to start off a WrestleMania. Small portions of the match are shown. Owen was looking to get out of Bret's shadow. Apparently, the Hart parents watched this from home. An Owen firemans carry takedown is countered with a headscissors from Bret. Both exchange waistlocks, with Bret running to the ropes to send Owen out of the ring. Owen rushes in to slap Bret then cower away. The two go back-and-forth with hammerlocks, before briefly working each other's arm. Owen reverses an Irish whip, Bret floats over, rolling Owen up for two. Bret goes back to work on the arm. Owen lands a shoulder tackle. Bret leapfrogs, monkey flips then clotheslines his brother over the top rope. Back from commercials, Owen is in control, repeatedly ramming Bret's leg into the ringpost. Owen uses a dragonscrew legwhip, single leglock and figure four to weaken Bret's leg. Bret rolls around to reverse the figure four, resulting in both brothers limping around. Owen kicks at Bret's leg in the corner. Bret comes back with an enziguiri. Owen gets sent crashing front first into the corner. Bret gets nearfalls from a legdrop, running bulldog, piledriver and superplex. Bret ducks an Owen swing and locks in a sleeper. Owen gets to the ropes, quickly low blowing Bret behind Earl Hebner’s back. Owen applies the Sharpshooter. Bret taps the mat for momentum. Nowadays that would class as a tapout. Bret reverses the hold, but Owen immediately hooks the ropes. Owen reverses an Irish whip and charges into a boot. Bret goes for a victory roll, but Owen falls on top, cradling his brother for the 1-2-3. At first Owen's shocked at his win, but he soon rubs it in to a crestfallen Bret, telling him in no uncertain terms he’s number one. Here is Your Winner: "THE ROCKET" OWEN HART. This was a great match to elevate Owen onto the mainstage. After this, Owen’s career skyrocketed and the two engaged in a year long feud, making for great TV during 1994. Hopefully Matt vs Jeff Hardy can be just as good at this year’s ‘Mania.
In a WrestleMania X Road Trip moment, Bret avenges his prior loss by defeating Yokozuna to begin his second reign as World Champion. Yokozuna falls from his perch attempting a banzai drop and Bret pins him.
Women's Title
Alundra Blayze vs Leilani Kai
Kai is the only competitor to have wrestled at WrestleManias I & X. She was also looking to regain the title in the same place she lost it nine years earlier. Joined in progress. Kai delivers a tree slam and bodyslam. Blayze comes back with a hurricanrana. Kai lands several hair throws before tossing Blayze over the top rope. Kai puts Blayze back in, hair bieling the Champion across the ring. A double underhook suplex doesn't put Blayze away. Blayze ducks a clothesline and hits one of her own. Blayze delivers a spin kick off the ropes, followed by a suplex and two hairmares. Blayze counters a clothesline with a bridged german suplex to pick up the 1-2-3. Crisp action from two talented Women. It’s a shame that there wasn’t a great talent pool to work with in the Women’s Division from 1994-1995, as many of the matches during this era were better than a lot of the Divas matches nowadays. The pioneer of this period, Blayze (Madusa Micelli) deserves to be brought back for the Women’s Battle Royal this year. Here is Your Winner: ALUNDRA BLAYZE. The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, Classy Freddy Blassie, Captain Lou Albano and Nikolai Volkoff are seen cheering Blayze on from the crowd.
It’s now time for the WrestleMania XI portion of the show. Diesel vs Shawn Michaels receive the highlighted treatment. Michaels is accompanied by Sid and Jenny McCarthy, while Diesel enters with Pamela Anderson. While both girls are still hot now, back in 1995 they were super hot. Baywatch still ruled back then LOL. Regarding the match, Diesel jackknifes his former partner to defeat, to continue his horrendous year-long run as Champion.
Intercontinental Title
Double J Jeff Jarrett w/The Roadie vs Razor Ramon w/The 1-2-3 Kid
TNA invades once again. Jarrett won the title off Razor a few months prior at the Royal Rumble. Razor has the Kid (decked out in a kimono outfit - looking like he's come straight from the dojo) to counter Roadie in Jarrett's corner. Razor starts off sharply, catching and decking Jarrett at every turn with punches. Razor clotheslines Jarrett to the outside. Jarrett stalls long enough to bait Razor in close enough for a leg trip. Razor reverses an Irish whip, Jarrett fakes a dive from the second rope, but Razor thwarts a sunset flip by dropping on top of Jarrett for a nearfall. Jarrett calls for Roadie interference, but Razor sends Jarrett into his protégé, before schoolboying the Champion for another nearfall. Roadie saves Jarrett from the Razor’s Edge, pulling him through the ropes to safety. Following commercials, Razor reverses Jarrett’s figure four, with Kid lending Razor some extra momentum. Referee Timmy White reprimands the Kid. Razor back suplexes Jarrett from the second rope. Roadie saves Jarrett from a second Razor’s Edge, by chopblocking the bad guy for the cheap DQ. Kid runs in, throwing spin kicks galore, until Jarrett cuts him off. Jarrett gives Kid a flapjack, then locks on the figure four. Razor gets involved and all four brawl on the mat, as referees and agents try to separate them. Jarrett and Roadie manage to slip out and escape, as Razor and Kid look to gain the upper hand. Basically a Razor showcase, as most of Jarrett’s offense was edited out. Guess Vinny Mac doesn’t want to see Jarrett make an impact with new viewers. Here is Your Winner via DQ: RAZOR RAMON.
Todd Pettengill narrates the backstory for our Main Event.
January 22nd 1995: At the Royal Rumble, Bam Bam Bigelow shoves NFL player Lawrence Taylor (in the crowd as Diesel's guest) after alleging that Taylor was laughing at him for losing a tag match. Bam Bam is suspended from the ring for thirty days.
January 30th 1995: Instead of apologising, Bam Bam issues a one-on-one challenge, "anytime," "anyplace."
February 27th 1995: LT turns down the “childish” challenge as it’s "not in his nature." Bam Bam dares LT to show up to the WrestleMania Press Conference. LT agrees to show.
February 28th 1995: At the Harley Davidson Café in New York City, LT accepts the challenge, goes nose-to-nose with Bam Bam, shakes his hand, plants a kiss on Bam Bam’s cheek and walks off.
Bam Bam Bigelow vs Lawrence Taylor
Bam Bam has the Million Dollar Corporation in his corner, while LT has members of the New York Giants in his corner (including Steve “Mongo” McMichael). Pat Patterson is the referee. After a staredown, Bam Bam shoves LT, who simply smiles back at him. Patterson wants a handshake. LT delivers a hard slap to Bam Bam and the bell goes to get this one officially underway. LT gets the early advantage with a forearm, kneelift, throw and clothesline over the top rope. Back inside, Bam Bam misses a charge and LT hits a running bulldog for two. LT lands forearms and a hiptoss. Bam Bam regroups outside. LT jumps out to confront him and the Corporation. The NFLers provide backup. Bam Bam sneaks back in first and works LT over with punches, kicks, a boot choke and slam. LT avoids a falling headbutt and floors Bam Bam with a running forearm. Bam Bam drops LT in the corner a couple of times, then chokes him in the ropes. LT survives a Boston Crab and modified STF. Following a commercial, Bam Bam connects with an enziguiri, several falling headbutts and his patented top rope headbutt. LT kicks out at two, leaving Bam Bam distracted and in disbelief. LT recovers to nail forearms and battering rams in the corner. LT hits two running forearms then a flying forearm from the second rope. Bam Bam is out of it, as LT covers for the 1-2-3. Bam Bam worked hard here to get a good match out of LT. Bammer truly was one of the best working big men of all time. Here is Your Winner: LAWRENCE TAYLOR. The NFLers celebrate and hoist LT on their shoulders after rolling Bam Bam out of the ring. Bam Bam was kicked out of the Corporation after this, turning babyface for a brief six month run.
Okerlund signs off, promising more WrestleMania moments next week. A good slew of matches this week. All of the major angles were covered. I look forward to reliving the Iron Man match from WrestleMania XII when we next meet. Have a good week. Shaun.